Member Article

Software business wins funding for cybersecurity project

A Sunderland software development company has secured funding from the Technology Strategy Board for a unique cyber security project.

Orcuma has been awarded £5,000 through the TSB’s Innovation Voucher scheme to work with the University of Sunderland on a research project looking at how businesses can better protect their customer data against hacking and cyber-attacks.

Orcuma specialise in implementing and supporting their FIRsT (Flexible Information Reporting Tool) Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software as well as bespoke software development that helps businesses to improve their customer management.

TSB Innovation Vouchers provide funding to help businesses to work with external experts to improve their knowledge in a certain area, innovate, develop and grow their business.

The company is working with Dr Christo Panchev, senior lecturer in Computing at the University on the project, which is expected to last around one month.

Director of Orcuma Paul Mitchell said: “The Innovation Voucher has allowed us to carry out research into an area we have been keen to explore for many years.

“As cybercrime becomes more sophisticated, companies need better protection and security to protect their employee and customer data.

“We chose to work with the University on the project due to the breadth of skill that exists within the faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology.

“As a graduate of the University myself, it is great to be working on a project alongside the University which will help us deliver even greater security to our customers.”

Orcuma was set up in August 2011 by Paul and co-founder Richard Whittaker. The company counts G4S Utilities and Outsourcing and Durham County Council amongst their clients.

The company recently configured their FIRsT CRM application for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to allow them to monitor Fire Investigations and assist with identifying trends in areas or periods where fires have occurred and are more likely to occur. This will allow the Fire Service to better prepare with local Partner Agencies to help try and prevent future incidents.

Having grown their business successfully in the UK, Paul and Richard are now aiming to take their software skills international in a bid to win new business.

Orcuma worked with University of Sunderland Business Development Manager Peter Chalder-Wood to scope, research and submit the application for the funding.

Peter Chalder-Wood said: “The Innovation Voucher funding is a great way for businesses to access new knowledge and capability and one of many ways the University of Sunderland can support the local business community.

“Helping a software company like Orcuma is exactly what we aim to achieve through our work through the Sunderland Software City initiative, which is all about helping companies grow and thrive, helping them take on new staff and increase their knowledge and skills.

“The Innovation Voucher consultancy is only one of several ways the University is working with Orcuma. The company is currently working with students from the University’s department of computing to update their website through the Paid Project scheme, which supports local businesses by advertising and matching part-time work and project opportunities with suitable students.

“Orcuma is also recruiting a sales and marketing intern through the University of Sunderland’s Graduate Internship Scheme and they are aiming to take on more staff this year as the business continues to grow.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Amy Watson .